PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Pennsylvania TANF provides temporary cash assistance to needy families to help cover basic living expenses such as food, shelter, and utilities. In Pennsylvania, a family of three is considered “needy” if its countable income is below $403 per month.

As a condition of eligibility, cash assistance recipients must complete and sign an agreement to participate in work activities that will lead to employment.

How much cash assistance will I get in PA?

Pennsylvania has different benefit levels based on geographic location. The benefit levels listed here are for Group 2, which includes Philadelphia County, the county with the most TANF participants.

For example, a family of 4 in Philadelphia PA with little or no income may receive up to $497 in cash benefits each month.

How do I apply for cash assistance in PA?

You can apply for TANF online through COMPASS  or by completing and submitting an application to your local County Assistance Office (CAO).

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(877) 395-8930

Pennsylvania Diversion Program

Pennsylvania Diversion is a way for families to choose short-term help rather than long-term ongoing cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

It provides a one-time lump sum payment once in a 12-month period dependent upon your need, with the maximum payment set at three (3) times the Family Size Allowance. ¹ That’s about $1,209 for a family of three.

How much do I get for the diversion program in PA?

How do I apply for diversion program in PA?

For a short-term, non-recurrent, cash payment, you may apply for Diversion Assistance by completing an online application through COMPASS .

Upon successful submission, a face-to-face interview will be arranged to determine your eligibility.

Pennsylvania Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Pennsylvania SNAP helps low income individuals and families obtain more nutritious diets and eat healthier by supplementing their monthly food budget.

Benefits range from a minimum of $306 per household member to a maximum of $808 for a family of three but may vary based on household’s size and net income.

What is the household income for SNAP benefits in PA?

In Pennsylvania, eligibility is limited to households with gross income of up to 200% of the poverty level or about $4,553 per month for a family of three.

If you are eligible, you will receive a Pennsylvania EBT ACCESS Card which can be used to make food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets.

Can single mothers in Philadelphia receive both TANF and SNAP?

Yes. Single mothers in Philadelphia, PA can receive both TANF and SNAP benefits at the same time, as long as they meet each program’s income, household, and eligibility requirements.

Receiving TANF does not automatically disqualify a single mother from SNAP. In fact, many low-income single-parent households in Philadelphia qualify for both programs simultaneously, especially those with children and limited earned income.

How do I apply for SNAP benefits in PA?

You can apply for SNAP online through COMPASS , Pennsylvania’s benefits application portal, or in person at your local County Assistance Office (CAO).

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(877) 395-8930

Pennsylvania SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks, Pennsylvania’s Summer EBT program, is a new grocery benefits program that provides households with a one-time payment of $120 for each eligible child to buy food during the summer months when school is not in session.

Many children will get these benefits automatically, but some households will need to apply. The benefits will be added to an existing SNAP/TANF EBT card or a newly issued Summer EBT card.

Use the Eligibility Navigator  to determine if your child is eligible for SUN Bucks and whether you need to apply.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(877) 395-8930

Pennsylvania Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Pennsylvania WIC is a federally funded program that provides healthy supplemental foods and nutrition services for eligible pregnant women, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children under age five who meet the income guidelines.

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:

1. Live in Pennsylvania.
2. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
3. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
4. Have a nutritional need or risk.

What is the income limit for WIC in Pennsylvania?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to be eligible for WIC, you must have a gross household income not exceeding 185% of the federal poverty guidelines.² That’s about $4,212 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for WIC in Pennsylvania?

WIC Agencies provide services in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. You may call (800) 942-9467 to be connected to a WIC office in your county.

Pennsylvania Medical Assistance

Pennsylvania Medical Assistance (MA), also known as Medicaid, provides comprehensive health coverage to eligible residents with limited income and resources.

MA offers a broad range of physical and behavioral health services:

• Standard Medical Care
  Doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency room (ER) care, and prescription drugs.
• Specialized Services:
  Dental and vision care (varies for adults), mental health treatment, and substance use disorder services.
• Long-Term Support
  Nursing home care and home-based services for those with physical or intellectual disabilities.

Unlike private health insurance, there are no monthly premiums, though small copayments may apply for certain services , such as prescription drugs or specific doctor visits.

What is the income limit for Medicaid in PA?

Pennsylvania opted to implement the Medicaid expansion in 2014. As a result, Medicaid now covers nearly all uninsured adults age 19—64, including children age between 6—18, with income up to 138% of the poverty level. Pregnant women and newborns are covered up to 220% of the poverty level.

Special categories like Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities (MAWD) allow individuals with disabilities to work while keeping benefits with a small premium.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Pennsylvania?

You can apply for or renew your Medical Assistance online by using COMPASS  or apply by telephone by calling the Consumer Service Center at (800) 692-7462.

If you are over 19 and don’t qualify for Medicaid, you may find coverage through Pennie , Pennsylvania’s official insurance marketplace.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
COMPASS Customer Service / Medicaid Assistance
(800) 692-7462

Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program

Pennsylvania CHIP provides health coverage to uninsured children up to age 19 whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private coverage.

Most families with income below 213% of the FPL are eligible to receive CHIP at no cost. Families with income between 213% and 319% of the FPL will pay modest monthly premiums  and co-pays for some services.

Low-cost CHIP has premiums ranging from $60 to $96 per month and copays ranging from $5 per service to $25 for emergency room visit.³

What is the maximum income to qualify for CHIP in PA?

In Pennsylvania, children from families with income up to 319% of the poverty level or about $7,263 per month for a family of three, are eligible for CHIP.

How do I apply for CHIP in PA?

You can apply for CHIP online through COMPASS  or call the CHIP helpline and select prompt No. 2, then select prompt No. 1 for application assistance.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Pennsylvania CHIP Helpline
(800) 986-5437

Pennsylvania Family Planning Services Program

Pennsylvania’s Family Planning Services Program (formerly SelectPlan for Women) is a limited Medicaid program that provides free and confidential reproductive health care to eligible individuals ages 18 to 44.

Covered services include birth control at no cost, Pap tests, STD testing and treatment, and other family planning services. Coverage is fully free, with no premiums or copays.

What is the income limit for SelectPlan for Women in PA?

To qualify, you must be a Pennsylvania resident with income not exceeding 215% of the poverty level and have no private insurance or Medicaid.

You can apply online with COMPASS , or apply in person at any County Assistance Office or COMPASS Community Partner, including family planning clinics near you.

Pennsylvania Family Planning Services Program
Provider Service Center
(800) 537-8862

Pennsylvania Child Care Works

Subsidized child care in Pennsylvania is provided through the Child Care Works  program that helps lower-income families pay their child care fees.

Since it is a subsidy, most families are required to pay a percentage of cost of child care in the form of a copayment — known as the family co-pay, on a sliding fee basis.

As a condition of eligibility, parents are required to work at least 20 hours a week or work at least 10 hours a week AND participate in an approved training program at least another 10 hours a week.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Pennsylvania?

Most families with incomes up to 200% of federal poverty level or about $4,553 per month for a family of three, qualify for child care subsidy.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Pennsylvania?

To apply for child care assistance in Pennsylvania, you must submit an application through your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC ). ⁴

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Child Care Works Helpline
(877) 472-5437

Pennsylvania Head Start

Pennsylvania Head Start promotes school readiness for children in low-income families between the ages of 3 and 5. It does this by providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, and social services that prepare them for school and life.

Families who are 100% of the federal poverty level are eligible to apply. The pre-school program may be offered as center-based or home-based services — and is free.

What is the income limit for Head Start in Pennsylvania?

A family is eligible for the Head Start program if its household income is at or below the federal poverty level. That’s about $2,277 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for Head Start in PA?

You may apply for Head Start or Early Head Start services through your local Head Start grantee. Use the Head Start Provider Locator  to find the program in your community.

Pennsylvania Housing Choice Voucher Program

The HCV wait list is currently closed in Pennsylvania. Applicants may check their status online  or by calling (215) 684-4300.

Pennsylvania’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, provides housing vouchers to low income families and individuals to find a housing unit of their choice in the public housing market.

Families who are income eligible often need to pay up to 40% of their rent and utilities while PHA cover the difference between the amount paid by families and the market rent for the unit.

In general, PHA pays monthly rent directly to the owners or landlords of the units. The tenants do not receive any of the money paid for rental subsidy.

How long is the waitlist for housing assistance in Philadelphia?

The waitlist for housing assistance in Philadelphia can be several years long, depending on the program and current availability. Waitlists are often open only for limited periods due to high demand.

Since openings can be brief and competitive, you should contact PHA directly or visit a local housing assistance office to ask about current waitlist status and upcoming openings.

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)
(215) 684-4000

PHLHousing Plus

Launched in late 2022 as a guaranteed income experiment, PHLHousing+  is a direct-to-tenant, cash-based rental assistance pilot program in Philadelphia.

Unlike traditional Section 8 vouchers where funds go to landlords, PHLHousing+ provides money directly to tenants via prepaid debit cards.

Participation is by invitation-only. Participants in the PHLHousing+ pilot program were randomly selected from the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s (PHA) waitlists.

To be eligible, invited households must earn no more than 50% of Area Median Income at the time of enrollment and have a child under age 15.

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)
(215) 684-4000

Pennsylvania Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Pennsylvania LIHEAP helps low-income families pay their heating bills. This one-time payment is sent directly to your utility company or fuel provider, and it will be credited on your bill.

The table below shows the minimum and maximum LIHEAP assistance amounts available to eligible households in Pennsylvania.

Households experiencing a heating crisis, such as a utility shutoff, may be eligible for additional benefits through the LIHEAP crisis program, up to a total maximum benefit of $1,000.

What is the income limit for LIHEAP in PA?

The income limit for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania is 150% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that’s about $3,415 per month to qualify.

How do I apply for LIHEAP in Pennsylvania?

Applications for LIHEAP are available online through COMPASS  starting on December 3, 2026 and remain open until April 4, 2027.

If you need help paying your heating bills, or have a heating emergency, please contact the LIHEAP hotline or County Assistance Office (CAO).

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Statewide LIHEAP Hotline
(866) 857-7095

Is LIHWAP water bill assistance still available in Pennsylvania?

No. Pennsylvania’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) was a temporary program funded by the federal government, and that funding is no longer available. Households cannot currently receive LIHWAP benefits. If you need help with a water or wastewater bill, contact your water utility or dial 2-1-1 to ask about local assistance.

Pennsylvania State Grant Program

Pennsylvania State Grant Program is a state-funded financial aid program that provides funding to eligible Pennsylvanians who demonstrate high financial need to attend college.

Award amounts vary each year based on financial need, tuition costs, and available funding. For the current academic year, the maximum annual award is $5,750.

To be considered for a Pennsylvania State Grant, you must file your FAFSA no later than May 1 each year, and complete the PA State Grant Form if you are applying for the first time.

Students attending summer courses may apply for the award for the summer term. The deadline is August 15. Due to limited funding, late applications will not be considered.

Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
Financial Aid Office
(800) 443-0646

Pennsylvania Parent Pathways Initiative

Pennsylvania Parent Pathways Initiative provides grants specifically to support parenting students with scholarships, emergency aid, childcare, housing, and other essential services.

Many campuses also offer on-campus childcare, transportation assistance, and dedicated “parent navigators” to help students balance academic responsibilities with parenting.

Eligibility and applications are handled through participating colleges or universities that have been awarded a Parent Pathways grant.

Students must first complete the FAFSA and first use all other available gift aid, before the grants may be used to cover remaining costs of attendance.

For additional information about the initiative, call
Pennsylvania Department of Education
(717) 783-6788

Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC)

The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC) is a new state-level tax credit  modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

To be eligible for the WPTC, you must:

1. Be residents of Pennsylvania.
2. Have earned income from wages, salary, or self-employment.
3. File both federal (Form 1040) and Pennsylvania state (PA-40) tax returns.
4. Qualify for the federal EITC.

How much is the PA tax credit?

The state credit is set at 10% of the federal credit. If a family qualifies for a $2,000 federal EITC, they can claim an additional $200 on their state income tax bill.

How do I claim the Pennsylvania EITC?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, you must file both your federal Form 1040 and your PA-40 state tax return to claim the credit.⁵ You can file your PA-40 for free on myPATH , the Department of Revenue’s online filing system for state taxes.

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue 
(717) 787-8201